How to Germinate Carnation Seeds

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Carnations instantly add color to a garden. Whether you use them in a flowerbed, in a rock garden, in containers or as a border, the many available color varieties will add ornamental value both indoors and out. Carnations have straight stems and can grow approximately 18 inches tall. These long-lasting plants have full, big blooms that give off a spicy fragrance that's hard to ignore. Instead of buying carnation plants, save money and take on the challenge of growing your own. Begin by properly starting the seeds indoors. Start the seeds approximately six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area.

1

Choose a container with drainage holes in the bottom. Use anything from a seed-raising tray to the bottom of an empty milk carton. If the container doesn't have drainage holes, poke the holes in the bottom.

2

Mix 1 part of bleach with 9 parts of water. Soak the container in the solution for 15 minutes and let it to air-dry. This sterilizes the seed tray.

3

Fill the container with moist potting mix to 1 inch from the top. Use your fingers to lightly press down on the soil, so it's firm in the container.

4

Sprinkle the seeds over the soil surface. Space them approximately 2 inches apart. Cover the seeds with a 1/8-inch layer of soil. Lightly press on the soil to firm it over the seeds.

5

Spray water over the soil surface to moisten it. Avoid using flowing water, because it can wash away the seeds -- use a spray bottle.

6

Put the container in a clear plastic bag or use plastic wrap to cover it. Seal the bag with an elastic band or twist tie. Covering the container helps the soil stay moist longer.

7

Place the container in a warm place. Aim for a temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If needed, place the container near a heater or use a heating pad underneath it.

8

Check the container daily and mist water over the soil, as needed -- aim to keep it moist. Remove the plastic as soon as the seeds germinate.

9

Move the container to a sunny window so the seedlings can grow. Continue checking the soil moisture and, when needed, spray it with water.

Things You Will Need

Seed-starting container

Bleach

Potting mix

Carnation seeds

Spray bottle

Plastic bag or plastic wrap

Heating pad

Tips

When the seedlings are 4 to 5 inches tall, transplant them outdoors, after the last frost date. Space the plants 12 inches apart.

Choose varieties that are hardy to your USDA zone. "Chabaud" carnations, for example, are hardy in zones 7, 8, 9 and 10.

About the Author

Kimberly Caines is a well traveled model, writer and licensed physical fitness trainer who was first published in 1997. Her work has appeared in the Dutch newspaper "De Overschiese Krant" and on various websites. Caines holds a degree in journalism from Mercurius College in Holland and is writing her first novel.